The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: Reauthorization Efforts

Wendy H. Schacht
Specialist in Science and Technology Policy

The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, P.L. 97-219, created Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs within the major federal research and development (R&D) agencies. This effort was intended to increase participation of small innovative companies in federally funded R&D. Government agencies with extramural R&D budgets of $100 million or more are required to set aside a portion of these funds to support research and development in small firms through the SBIR program. The program was extended several times and was scheduled to terminate on September 30, 2008. Although, to date, no specific legislation reauthorized the program, the Small Business Administration determined that P.L. 110-235 temporarily extended the SBIR activity through March 20, 2009. P.L. 111-10 provided an additional extension of the program through July 31, 2009; P.L. 111-43 extended it through September 30, 2009; and P.L. 111-66 extended the effort through October 31, 2009. P.L. 111-89 once again extended the SBIR program through April 30, 2010, after which P.L. 111-214 extended the effort through September 30, 2010. H.R. 2965, a bill to reauthorize and alter the SBIR initiative, passed the House after which the Senate substituted the language of S. 1233 (amended) and approved its version of H.R. 2965.


Date of Report: August 4, 2010
Number of Pages: 12
Order Number: RS22865
Price: $29.95

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